Luminous device



Nov. 24, 1936. K. R. BEYMER LUMINOUS DEVICE,

Filed June 9; 1953 I If Sheets-Sheet 1 I'll: II I flll I lllllrillll;lrillliil IllifliII/Illillllill'libllflflll II y III I I r ZMf/N VEINTOI? NOV. 24, 1936. K R BE 2,061,824

LUMINOUS DEVICE Filed June 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Nov. 24, 1936. K. R. BEYMER LUMINOUS DEVICE Filed June 9, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVE/VTOR j I Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Lum nous nEvrcE Kenneth R. Beymer, Dayton, Ohio Application June 9, 1933, Serial No. 675,102 11 Claims. (01. ire-122) This invention relates to luminous devices. and more particularly toluminous devices embodying glow lamp principles and suitable for household as wellas commercial use. An object of this invention is to provide a lu- .minous device particularly adaptable to household and ornamental use. This object is accomplished by providing a luminous device that has an ornamental shape, emits light of a desirable color for ornamental use and has a basewhich can be easily and quickly inserted or attached to a convenient household receptacle.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a luminous device that is inexpensive to manufacture and particularly inexpensive to operate.

This obect is accomplished by providing a gaseous discharge tube luminating device of simple.

' construction that requires low operating power. 'Another object of this invention is to provide a luminous device that emits a glowing light.

- An0ther.0bject of this invention is to provide a luminous device that emits a soft glowinglight in a combination of colors.

Another object of this invention is to provide 5 a luminous device that emits a glowing light and v has sections or parts from which different colors of light are emitted. This object is accomplished by providing a gaseous discharge tube luminous device having a plurality of separate sealed discharge chambers, which chambers have difierent ases sealed therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a luminous device having an improved electrode therein that causes the discharge or glow to substantially fill the receptacle or tube, even to the end portions thereof surrounding the electrodes.

This object is accomplished. by providing a gaseous discharge tube having electrodes located near the ends thereof, which electrodes'have a coating of insulation covering the surface thereof that faces toward the other electrode through the discharge path.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the accompanying speciflcation and drawings wherein preferred form'sof the present invention are clearly illustrated and described.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of the present invention, with parts thereof shown in section.

- Fig. 2 is an elevation of a form of the present invention similar to that-shown in-Fi'g. 1, with parts thereof shown in section. u

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a substantially complete unit embodying a modified form of the present invention, with partsthereof shown in section. Figs. 4 and 5 are elevations of modified forms of the present invention with parts thereof shown in section. Y

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a substantially com-' '5 plete unit embodying a modified form of the present invention, with parts thereof shown in section. I

. Fig. 7 is an elevation of a modified formof the present invention with parts thereof shown in 10 section.

With particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a sealed receptacle or tube 2, preferably made of glass, is in substantially the form of a candle and flame having a candle portion 4 and a flame l5 portion 6. A tubular insulating barrier wall 8, also preferably made of glass, is sealed into the 'receptable 2 at one end thereof, such as at i0,-

and extends through the candle portion 4 and has a portionl2 projecting into the flame portion 6. 20

' A ring-like electrode I4 is mounted outside of the barrier wall 8 and within the receptacle 2 near one end thereof, and has a connecting lead l6 electrically connected thereto and projecting through the receptacle 2 and sealed into the wall of that receptacle. One end of the candle portion 4 of the receptacle 2 is mounted in a suitable base l8, which base is preferably made of metal so as to form one terminal of the device and to which the connecting lead I6 is connected. 30

In the form shown in Fig. 1, an electrode 20 extends through the tubular insulating barrier wall 8 and a connection thereto is sealed into an external end 22 of the-wall 8, and a substantially cup-shaped portion 24 of the electrode 20 on the 35 end thereof, and within the flame portion 6, has its outside walls covered by a flared portion 25 of the barrier wall 8 so that the discharge follows around the flared portion, and tends to more nearly flll the flame portion 6. A terminal 26 is the candle and flame portions respectively. 50

Electrodes 38 and 40, preferably ring-like in form, are mounted on the insulating barrier wall .8 in the candle and flame portions respectively,

and are electrically connected by a suitable connecting lead 42 that is sealed into the juncture between the receptacle 2 and barrier wall 8. The sealed compartments 34 and 36 preferably contain different rarefied gases so as to produce different colors when a discharge occurs between the electrodes therein.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, an electrode 46 is mounted in a sealed end 48 of the tubular insulating barrier wall 8 and has a connected lead 50 electrically connected thereto that is sealed into the wall 8 and connected to a suitable terminal 26. The terminal 26 is insulatingly mounted to the base I8 through an insulating member 28 and forms the other external connectingterminal for the device. A space 30 intermediate the base I8 and the receptacle 2 is preferably filled with a suitable insulating compound or cement. An electrode member 52, that is preferably ringlike in form, is sealed to the insulating barrier wall 8, and also to the receptacle 2 intermediate the candle and flame portions 4 and -6 respectively. Hence, separately sealed compartments 34 and 54 are formed within the candle portion 3, andthe flame portion 6 and barrier wall 8, respectively. The compartments thus formed are preferably filled with different rarefied gases, so as to produce different colors when a discharge occurs between the electrodes therein.- It is understood that electrodes such as 38 and 40 of Fig. 1 having a connector such as 42 therebetween are equally well suited to the device shown in Fig. 2. It is also understood that the shape or form 'of the electrodes in either of the devices may be varied or changed without departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed.

With particular referenceto Fig. 3, a continuous sealed receptacle or discharge tube 60 has a portion 62 that is preferably substantially straight, and has a substantially reverse bend therein such as at 64, and the remainder of the tube is entwined or wound around the portion 62 in a substantially serpentine or spiral form so that the sealed ends 66 and 10 are mounted in a suitable base 12 that is preferably made of insulating material, and are preferably sealed therein with a suitable sealing compound or cement 14. A

connector 80 is electrically connected to an electrode 18 and to a suitable terminal 82 that is mounted in the insulating base member 12, and is sealed into the wall of the receptacle or tube 60. A connecting lead 84 provides an electrical connection between an electrode 16 and a suitable terminal 86 that is'preferably secured to a side portion or wall of the base 12. The discharge tube or receptacle 60 is preferably made of glass and contains a rarefied gas,'which gas is selected to produce the desired color.

A bayonet prong or stud 88 is preferably mounted on a side wall of the base'12 and secured thereto by riveting such as at 90 or by other suitable, means. The bayonet prong 88 engages a catch portion 82 in a slot 94 provided in a socket portion 96 ofa suitable mounting base 98. The

base 88, shown in this figure, represents one form of base that is, or may be, adapted to provide a suitable mounting for the luminous devices disclosed herein. This base 88 preferably has a concave portion I00 within the conflnesof whichcured to the base I08 by a band I I0 that extends over the transformer and is secured to lug mem bers II2 by screws H4 or other suitable fastening means. A leaf spring contact II6 engages the terminal 86 and is secured to a lug I28 by a rivet or other suitable fasteningmeans I20, and

.is properly spaced or positioned by washers I22.

Thelug H8 is preferably formed from the band IIO. Another contact I24 is preferably urged against the terminal 82 by a spring or resilient member I26. The contact member I24 projects through the end of, and is guided by a substantially cup-shaped member I28 having a flange portion I30 that is secured to the base I08 by rivets I32 or other suitable fastening means. The spring I26 engages a shoulder portion I34 of the contact I24 and the base I08 to urge the contact I24 into engagement with the terminal I32. A connecting. lead I36 extends through an aperture I38 in the substantially cup-shaped member i28 and provides a connection between the transformer 302 and the contact !24'. A connecting lead I40 provides a connection between the transformer I02 and the contact H6. Connecting wiresI42 and I44 extend through a grommet 546 that is mounted in an aperture M8 in the base 98, and provide a connection between the transformer I02 and a suitable source of potential. The 'cover member I08 fits into a groove I56 in the base 98 to hold the cover member in place. A handle member I52 is secured to the base 98 to simulate a candle holder.

A cover I54 preferably in the form of a candle and flame, is preferably made of glass, and is preferably coated so as to diffuse the light. The cover I54 fits into an opening I56 in the base 98 and rests against a ledge or shoulder portion I58. This form of cover is preferable for the forms end such as at I62, and has an electrode I64 mounted therein near the sealed end I62. A lead I66 is sealed into the end I62 of the tube I60 and extends therethrough to provide an electrical connection between the electrode I64 and a suitable terminal 82. The terminal 82 is mounted in a base member 12 that is preferably made of insulating material. A tip I 12, preferably larger than the tube I60 is sealed over an open end I16 of the tube I 60 as at I14, so that the open end I16 projects into the tip I12. The tube I60 having a sealed end I62 and the tip I12 sealed thereto thus form a sealed discharge tube or'compart ment, and an electrode I18 preferably ring-like in form, is mounted outside of .the tube I60 and within the tip I12. The electrode I18 thus forms a second electrode for the discharge tube thus formed. A lead I is sealed into-the tip I12 and extends therethrough, and is electrically connected to the. electrode I18.

A plurality of discharge tubes such as I82, I84 and I86 are'entwined or formed around the tube I60 in asubstantially' spiral or serpentine form and extend from near or adjacent the tip I 12 preferably to within the base 12. The ends of the tubes, I 60, I82, I84 and I86 are preferably sealedinto the base 12 by a suitable sealing compound or cement as at 14. Electrodes such as I90 are mounted in the ends of the tubes I82, I84 and I86, andhave leads such as. I92 electrically connectedthereto and sealed into .and extending through the sealed ends of those tubes for making connections to a common terminal 86 that is preferably mounted on a side wall of the base 12 and secured thereto by riveting or other suitable means. Electrodes I96, preferably cup-shaped in outer surface thereof such as I96, are mounted in the other ends of the tubes I62, I64 and I66 on connecting leads 266 that extend through the sealed ends of the tubes and are sealed therein. The leads 266 provide an electrical. connection between the electrodes I96 and the electrode I16 through the lead 186. The tubes I66, I82, I64

and I66, and the tip I12 are preferably. made of glass, and contain rarefied gases which produce a desired color combination. The luminous device thus formed may be mounted in a base such as that shown in Fig. 3, and a bayonet prong or stud 66 projects from the side wall of the base 12 and is secured thereto by riveting such as 96 or other suitable fastening means, This prong provides a catch for holding the device in asocket such as that'shown in Fig. 3. i

With particularreference to Fig. 5, reference numerals similar to those used in Fig. 4 refer to similar parts, that perform similar functions to those of Fig. 4. The principal differences in.the devices shown in Figs. 4 and 5 being that in the device shown in Fig. 5, a connecting member 262 extends through a substantially straight insulat-.

ing tube 264 and has a connecting member 266 secured to one end thereof, and the other end thereof is connected to the terminal 62. The .leads 266 are electrically connected to'the connected member 266. 1

With particular reference to Fig.6, a .transformer 2 i6 having a laminated core 2 l2, and primary and secondary windings 2H and 2|6 respectively, is secured to a preferably metallic base 2 it through an annular member 226 that is-preferably made of insulating material. Layers of insulating material 222, 224 and 226 such as paper or cardboard are preferably provided between the core 2 I2 and primary winding'2 l4, pri-' mary 214 and secondary 216, and over theouter surface of the secondary winding 2l6, respectively. The insulating member 226 has an aperture 228 therein, into which the transformer 2| 6 fits, and preferably has 'a grooved or detented portion such as 236 on the outer surface thereof "into which the base H8 is formed to hold that base in place. A terminal 232 is insulatingly mounted to the base 2"! through an insulating member 234 that is secured to the base 2l8, and has a connecting lead 236 electrically connected thereto and to one end of the primary winding 2i4 to provide an electrical connection therebetween.

I a knob 256 on the end thereof, and is threaded intoan aperture 268 in the core 2l2. The screw The other end of the primary winding 2 I4 is connected through a lead 246 to the ,base 2l6 by soldering as at 241. The insulating member 226 preferably has a recessed portion 238 in one surface thereof, and has a preferably annular terminal member 246 mounted-withln'that recessed portion, preferably so as to be flush with the surface of the recessed portion. A, connecting lead.

242 is electrically connected to the terminal 246, and preferably extends through an aperture 244 in the insulating member 226, and is connected to -one end of the secondary winding 2 l6. A space 248 between the end of the transformer 2l6 and the base 2|8 is preferably filled with a suitable sealingcompound or cement.

A cap member 266, preferably made of insulating material, and having a recessed portion- 262 is secured to the end of the transformer 2i6 opposite'the base 2l8 by a screw 264, that has ape-1,824 a 1' t 254 extends through an aperture 260 m the cap.

member 266. The knob 266 is preferably made of insulating material. A'preferably annular tact member 264 that is connected to the otherend of the secondary winding 2l6 through a lead 266; The contact member '264 is secured -to the outer layer of insulating material 225 by a rivet provide electrical connections between each of those electrodes and their respective terminals 262 and 246. The tube 266 is preferably made of glass, and preferably contains 'ararefied gas to provide the desired color or illumination.

With particular reference to Fig.- '7, a sealed glow or discharge tube 286 has a substantially straight portion 282 and has a bend therein as at 284 with the remainder of the tube formed,

around the portion 282, preferably in a substantially conical spiral form. End portions 286 and .288 of the tube 286 are preferably formed so as to extend substantially parallel and in close proximity to each other. mounted in the portions 286 and 288 of the tube connecting leads 294 and 296 respectively,-electrically connected thereto in extending )through and sealed into the tube. The portions 286 and Electrodes 296 and 292 are 286, preferably near the ends thereof, and have v 288 of the tube are mounted in a preferably me- I tallic base 298, and the space 366 around the portions 286 and 288, and within the base 296 is preferably filled with a suitable sealing com-- pound or cement. The connecting lead 294 prefsoldering as -at.364. The connecting lead 296 is eleotrically'connected to a terminal 366, preferably by soldering as at 368, which terminalis insulatingly secured to the base 298 through an insulating member 3l6.' The terminal 366 is .mounted inan aperture 312 in the insulating member 3l6, and secured therein by riveting or rolling the edge thereof as at 369, or by other erably extends through an aperture 362 inthe base 298 and is electrically connected thereto by suitable fastening means. The insulating member 3l6 extends into an aperture 3 in the base 298, and has a shoulder portion 3| 6 that rests against the inner surface of the base 298. The base 298 preferably has threads formed thereon, as at .3l 8, to adapt the base to be screwed into a suitable receptacle. The tube 286 is preferably made of glass, and has a-rarefied gas therein that provides the desired color or illumination, and the portion 288 of the tube is preferably offset from the portion 282 in a direction away from the portion'286 so as to provide a better balance and supportfor the tube in the base 298.

In the operation of these discharge tubes, the terminals thereof are connected to-a source of potential sufflciently high to cause a discharge or glow therein. The tubes are preferably of a type having the air pumped therefrom so as to' produce a vacuum therein, and which after evacuation have any suitable gas, such as neon or argon, introduced therein to produce the desired color or illumination. In tubes such as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the candle and flame portions thereof preferably have difierent kinds of gas therein toproduce different colors in those portions. The form shown in Fig. 2 requires a somewhat higher terminal voltage since the discharge -cap in the form shown in Fig. 2 is substantially twice as long as that of the form shown in Fig. 1.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the luminous device operates in a manner similar to the other forms shown. However, it is particularly adapted to be covered by a suitable cover such as I54, which cover is preferably frosted or'has a coating thereon to diffuse the light. The diffusing coating or surface may also act as a color filter to produce a desired and novel color effect.

The base shown in Fig. 3 is adapted to fit a base such as that illustrated on the luminous devices of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. However, it can, very Well, be adapted to receive luminous devices having bases such as those shown on the luminous devices in Figs. 1 and 2. This base provides a housing for the transformer that provides the high voltage for the luminous device from a usual alternating current source, as well as a support for the luminous device.

The devices shown in Figs. 4 and5 have a plurality of discharge departments provided by the diilerent sealed tubes, and are preferably adapted to be utilized with a cover such as I54- of Fig. 3.

The different discharge compartments of these devices preferably contain different kinds of gases so as to produce a novel color effect, particularly when the colors are diffused or filtered by a coating on the cover. The tube shown in Fig. 4 requires a greater terminalvoltage due to the added discharge path through the tube I60 and tip I72.

Electrodes such as I96 in Figs. 4 and 5 are preferable when it is desirable to have the discharge go clear to the end of the tube in which the electrode is mounted. The insulating coating I98 on the outer surface of the electrode causes the .discharge to follow around the outer surface of the electrode to the inner surface thereof, and thereby causes the discharge to go substantially to the end of the tube.

The forms shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are preferably adapted to be used where more illumination is desired. The unit shown in Fig. 6 provides a luminous device complete with a step-up transformer therefor, so that the base thereof may be screwed into a suitable receptacle and operated by connection to a conventional source of alternating current. The luminous device may be removed from the transformer by removing the screw 254 and cap 250, and slipping the luminous device axially from the transformer. The knob 256 on the screw .254 is preferably made of insulating material so that it may be touched without danger of shock, and the cap 250'is preferably made of insulating material, and preferably covers the terminal-member 262. The form of unit shown in Fig. 6 is particularly adaptable- From the foregoing description of the structure and operation of the luminous devices herein described and shown, it is apparent that in at least one aspect the present invention comprises a luminous device comprising a substantially tubular insulating barrier wall 8 in Figs. 1 and 2 and ISO of Fig. 4, a tipportion Ii 01' Figs. 1 and 2 and I12 of Fig. 4 covering the end of the barrier wall and sealed thereto to provide a discharge chamber, means' l of Figs. 1 and 2 and I82, I84 or I85 of Fig. 4 providing a second discharge chamber surrounding said barrier wall, an electrode 24 and I4 of Fig. 1, 46 and I4 of Fig. '2 and I64 and I96 of Fig. 4, in each of said discharge chambers, means 26 and 28 of Fig. 1, 26 and 28 of Fig. 2 and 32 and 36 of Fig. 4 for making electrical connections to the electrodes, and means 38, 40 and 42 of Fig. l, 52 of Fig. 2 and I18, I80 and 200 of Fig. 4 for electrically conmeeting the discharge chambers.

Although the invention illustrated and described represents preferred forms or embodiments, others may be used, all coming within the scope and spirit of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A luminous device comprising. in combination, a sealed receptacle having a plurality of separate sealed compartments;' an insulating tubular wall extending into adjacent compartments and open to one of the compartments and sealed with respect, to the other of said adjacent compartments; an electrode mounted in said receptacle outside of said barrier wall; a'second electrode within the barrier wall; means conductively connecting the adjacent compartments; and means provided for connecting the electrodes to a source of potential.

2. A luminous device comprising, in combination, a sealed receptacle having a plurality of separate sealed compartments; a tubular insufor connecting the said first and sectind electrodes to a potential source.

3. a luminous device comprising, in combination, a sealed receptacle having a plurality of sealed compartments; an insulating barrier wall sealed at one end and extending through one of the compartments and opening into an adjacent compartment to form a plurality of sealed discharge chambers; a plurality of electrodes in each of the discharge chambers to provide discharg paths therebetweenin each of said chambers; and means for connecting electrodes in the discharge paths to a source of operating potential.

4. A luminous device comprising. in combination, a sealed receptacle having a plurality of sealed compartments; an insulating barrier wall sealed at one end and extending through one of the compartments and into another of the compar-tments; a first electrode within the barrier wall and extending coaxially therewith through one compartment and into the other; a second electrode near one end of the barrier wall and within one of the compartments; electrically connected electrodes outside of the barrier wall and within the compartments; andmeans for connecting the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

5. A luminous device comprising, in combination, a sealed receptacle in substantially the form ing sealed from each other to provide separate of a candle and flame and having candle and flame portions, the candle and flame portions bedischarge compartments; a barrier wall extending through the candle portion and into the flame portion, one end-thereof being sealed; a first electrode within the barrier wall; a second electrode outside the barrier wall and within the candle portion; means providing conductive connection between the candle and flame portions; and means for connecting the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

6. A luminous device comprising, in combination, a sealed receptacle having a plurality of sealed compartments; an insulating barrier ,wall sealed at one end and extending through one of the compartments and into another of the compartments; a first electrode within the barrier wall and extending coaxially therewith through one compartment and having 'a portion extending into another of said compartments, said portion having only an end surface exposed; a second electrode near one end of the barrier wall and within one of the compartments; electrically connected electrodes outside of the barrier wall and within the compartments; and means adapted to connect the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

'7. A luminous device having substantially the form of a candle and flame and comprising, in combination, a substantially tubular insulating barrier wall, a tip portion in substantially the form of a flame covering the end of said barrier wall and sealed thereto to provide a separate sealed discharge chamber, means providing a second separate discharge chamber surrounding said barrier wall, an electrode in each of saiddischarge chambers, means for making electrical connection to said electrodes, and means for electrically connecting the discharge chambers.

8. A luminous device in substantially the form of a candle and flame and comprising, in combination, a substantially tubular insulating member sealed at one end and having a substantially flame shaped tip portion sealed thereto to form a sealed discharge chamber, means providing a second sealed discharge chamber surrounding a portion oithe tubular member, electrodes within the discharge chambers, and means for making electrical connections to the electrodes. I

9. A'luminous device in substantially the form of a candle and flame, having separate sealed candle and flame portions and comprising, in combination, an insulating wall extending through the candle portion and into the flame portion; a first electrode near the end of the insulating wall and within the flame portion, said electrode having a side portion covered by the insulating wall and an end portion uncovered; a connecting lead sealed into the insulating wall and connected to said first electrode; a second electrode outside of the insulating wall and within the candle portion; means providing conductive connection between the candle and flame portions; and means including said connecting lead I for connecting the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

10. A luminous device in substantially the form of a candle and flame having separate sealed compartments and comprising, in combination, an insulating wall surrounded circumferentialiy and axially by one of the compartments; a first electrode within one of the compartments and having side portions covered by the insulating wall and having an end portion uncovered; a connecting lead sealed into the insulating wall and connected to said first electrode;1a second electrode in another of said compartments; means providing electrically conductive connection between the separate sealed compartments; and means including said connecting lead for 'connecting the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

11. A luminous device having separate sealed compartments and comprising, in combination, a first electrode within one of the sealed compartments, said first electrode having an outer portion covered by an insulating wall and a surface uncovered, said surface that is uncovered facing in such a direction that the discharge travels around the insulating wall; a second electrode within another of the sealed compartments;

means electrically connecting the sealed compartments; and means for connecting the first and second electrodes to a source of potential.

KENNETH R. BEYMER. 

